Wave Wire Services
DOWNEY — It never went into space, but a full-size original space shuttle design prototype built in 1972 as part of Rockwell International’s ultimately successful bid to build NASA’s shuttles is in a renovation facility in Downey and being prepared for display at a new exhibit at the Columbia Memorial Space Center.
The mock-up, measuring 122 feet long and 35 feet tall, was constructed as a prototype for the future shuttles, thus it stands as the first shuttle ever built, although it never left the Earth. As a full-scale model, the mock-up was later used as a fitting tool for instruments and payloads that were being planned for the actual NASA shuttles.
In 2012, it was affectionately given the name “Inspiration,” as the original design model for the space shuttle program.
More than 10 years ago, however, Inspiration was disassembled and placed in storage while plans were considered for a possible permanent future display. Earlier this year, the city of Downey approved plans for a roughly 20,000-square-foot facility expanding the Columbia Memorial Space Center and housing Inspiration and other science-education exhibits.
The space center was built on the former site of Rockwell International, which was the home of this country’s space program in the 1960s and 70s.
In advance of that project, which is expected to begin next year, the Inspiration made a meticulous move spanning three city blocks Oct. 17. The move attracted a large number of residents, who lined the streets surrounding the space center, and local elected officials.
The disassembled mock-up was moved in large pieces aboard specialized moving equipment for the journey. Additional smaller pieces were moved the following day.
Inspiration will undergo a full renovation and reassembly to prepare it for its ultimate move into the new exhibit space.
The space center is also embarking on a $50 million fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of construction of the new facility, along with the specialized exhibits and science-education programs.
